Laguna de los Cóndores

Location:
Leymebamba , Peru

Ruin

By Lorraine Caputo

Mists rise from the sapphire lagoon, enshrouding six chullpas nestled into a cliff above the cloud forest. Here is where 219 souls rested until their removal to Centro Mallqui.

In late 1996, a group of farmers clearing land discovered these tombs. A Peruvian-Austrian scientific team began a rescue operation to save this national patrimony. Unfortunately, huaqueros (tomb robbers) cleaned out 18 other near-by sites before archaeologists could arrive.

Made of stone, adobe and straw, and covered with a layer of mud plaster, some of the chullpas are painted white, with red and yellow ochre designs. Most of these structures date from the Chachapoya Late Intermediate Period (800-1470 A.D.); two were built during the Inca occupation. The site was used until after the Spanish conquest. Ruins of Llaqtacocha, a residential llacta associated with these tombs, were excavated in 1998.

The artifacts found at Laguna de los Cóndores are on display at Centro Mallqui, the museum in Leymebamba. These tombs have been the topic of a Discovery Channel documentary and Archaeology magazine articles.

Getting There
It is a 10-12 hour journey on horseback and foot to Laguna de los Cóndores. The entire adventure lasts three to five days, according to your desires. A guide is essential and may be contracted in Leymebamba or Chachapoyas.

Price Description: Prices for the trek begin at about 200 soles/$67 per person, including horses, guide, lodging and food.

Relative price: Expensive

Travel Skills: intermediate/somewhat difficult.

There are a number of other chullpas (mausoleums) in the area that your guide may be able to show you.